In youth ministry we often settle for small wins (ANY wins) when Jesus said his followers will do “even greater things” than he did (John 14:12). Can I be honest? In some ministry settings, if I didn’t celebrate the small wins, I wouldn’t have any wins to celebrate.…
Teenagers have no greater—or scarier—mission field than their own schools. Encourage your students to be a light for the gospel this school year by ramping up your efforts to train and equip them in the areas where they might be nervous to live for Jesus.…
Join Rick and the Becky-nator for Episode 7 of Season 8 – “Peculiar People” – a continuation of the series “THE WAYS OF JESUS.” Rick and Becky will be exploring themes drawn from his just-released book titled Editing Jesus. In this episode we explore why Peter calls the followers of Jesus “peculiar people”—of course, we translate that as… odd people.…
In a ministry context, summer is a serial liar. I mean, summer is NOT a slower time for youth ministry, and it’s NOT chock-full of margin. We won’t have a more relaxed schedule, and we won’t have time to catch our breath.…
It’s quarter to midnight. I have to be at church at 5:30 a.m. to make sure last-minute logistics are covered and someone is available to meet the bus drivers when they arrive. Fortunately, this ain’t my first rodeo… A carefully (and perpetually) packed toiletries bag stands watch in my bathroom, with duplicates of everything I use in my daily routine.…
Check out Episode 6 of Season 8: “If It’s So ‘Easy,’ Why Am I So Worried? ” — a continuation of the series “THE WAYS OF JESUS.” Rick and Becky will be exploring themes drawn from his upcoming book titled Editing Jesus.…
I once did a lesson series with our students entitled “LOVE YOU: Learning to Love Who God Made You to Be.” Our study focused in on what a Christ-centered self-image looks like, and how the way we see ourselves affects our relationship to God and others. …
We have been in the throes of graduations galore. Hats are thrown in the air, celebrations had, and gifts given. Then it’s over, but it’s not. The pomp and circumstance has died away, but students are still in a waiting space for the future to arrive.…
Check out Episode 5 of Season 8: “The Relational Generosity of Jesus” — a continuation of the series “THE WAYS OF JESUS.” Rick and Becky will be exploring themes drawn from his upcoming book titled Editing Jesus. In this episode we explore one facet of the diamond-like beauty of Jesus—the way He longs to relate to us is deeply magnetic for our souls.…
Summer is here! Students are out of school, camp schedules are looming, personal vacations are coveted for a much-needed get away and before you know it the fall kick off will be here very soon. I tend to always feel an awkward ache when I can’t meet with every student or be able to see all our students and their friends during the summer.…
 THE WAYS OF JESUS: Peculiar People){kind=link}
 THE WAYS OF JESUS: If It’s So ‘Easy,’ Why Am I So Worried?){kind=link}
 THE WAYS OF JESUS: The Relational Generosity of Jesus){kind=link}
